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NFL star Junior Seau is dead, authorities have confirmed, and the cause of death is suspected to be a gunshot wound to the chest. Authorities believe that Seau killed himself this morning.

TMZ first broke the news of the shooting and has confirmed that a coroner is on the scene at Seau's home right now. Seau sent text messages to love ones yesterday saying, "Love you," according to their report.

The shooting caught everyone off-guard.

Seau had three children and an ex-wife and became known for his football skills in 1990, playing for the University of South Carolina. He was drafted during the first round in 1990, going to the San Diego Chargers before moving on to the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots.

In his 20-year career in the NFL, Seau was named an All-Pro 10 times and played in the Pro Bowl 12 times. He retired for the second, and final, time in 2010 and was inducted into the San Diego Chargers' Hall of Fame one year later.

Seau insisted that he wasn't trying to kill himself in 2010, after his SUV went off a cliff late at night. He told authorities that he had merely fallen asleep; at the time, he was under investigation and charged with domestic violence on his 25-year-old girlfriend.

Fans and colleagues have already begun expressing their sadness at the loss of a legend. "RIP Junior Seau" is currently trending on Twitter, with people around the world writing their memories of Seau.

"Awful. Too many NFLers dying too young," Shawn Ryan tweeted.

"R.I.P. Junior Seau one of the greatest" added fellow player Marc Tyler.

"My prayers and condolences to the family of one of the NFL's greatest linebackers to ever play the game," tweeted Chad Ochocinco. That tweet alone has been shared over 3,000 times, giving testament to the impact Seau had on the NFL and its fans.